Lisa Murkowski

The impact of fentanyl on our communities is devastating and requires a comprehensive response.

We will not be able to get the support that we need for Israel, for Ukraine, for the Indo-Pacific, for the disasters, unless there is true, meaningful border security as part of this supplemental.

I think today's conversation is equally important, and that is a focus on our borders here within the United States and a recognition that when there is unrest and war abroad, we are never safe on our own territory.

I heard you say multiple times here this morning that comprehensive reform is needed. I think we would all agree that comprehensive reform is needed.

To assume that we are so is naive and ill-informed, ill-placed.

Senators Hoeven and Cortez Masto introduced S. 465, the 'Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act.'

I strongly support improving and keeping tele-health opportunities as available as possible.

We know that Native Americans, Alaska Natives as a population demographically are dying in the past two years of drug overdoses more than any other populations out there.

Legislative solutions are needed to address the targeting that Tribes are experiencing.

We have a challenge that is so big and so enormous, it is going to take exactly what you all are doing in Lummi Nation.

Senators Cantwell and Mullin introduced S. 2695, the 'Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act.'

We have to be doing more when it comes to treatment.

Tribal leaders and federal partners must work together to protect our Tribal communities with effective and well-funded policy solutions to address the opioid crisis.

We talked about fentanyl. There is a significant increase, significant provision in the supplement to combat fentanyl.

It speaks to the lack of resources for education, for treatment, for preventive services and public safety in Alaska Native communities.

During the COVID pandemic, opioid overdose mortality rate among Alaska Native people doubled.

It is just really disturbing to know that among American Indians and Alaska Native populations we see the highest drug overdose rates in the Country for both 2020 and 2021 in terms of population.

I am so sorry that this is what the Lummi Nation has had to deal with.

They are targeting these small, remote, rural, vulnerable communities. It is the worst predation there can possibly be.

I want to thank her for sounding the alarm and asking for today's hearing.

It's critical that we listen to the voices of Native communities in this fight.

I heard you say multiple times here this morning that comprehensive reform is needed. I think we would all agree that comprehensive reform is needed.

I think today's conversation is equally important, and that is a focus on our borders here within the United States and a recognition that when there is unrest and war abroad, we are never safe on our own territory.

To assume that we are so is naive and ill-informed, ill-placed.

We will not be able to get the support that we need for Israel, for Ukraine, for the Indo-Pacific, for the disasters, unless there is true, meaningful border security as part of this supplemental.